With so many choices, deciding the best for you and your family can be a difficult process. Which orthodontist should you take your kids to? Where can you go to get the best facial in town? Who has the best hot dog? I am modern is here to ease at least some of the burden of the decision-making for you. After an exhaustive month long voting process, we've compiled our second annual “best of the dc suburbs” issue as chosen by you.

Along with two other top designers, Marika Meyer discusses reasons to hire an interior designer

Hiring an interior designer has often been thought of as a luxury. But in reality, a designer can save you time and money.

Interior Designer Marika Meyer joined designers Barbara Hawthorn and Skip Sroka at the Washington Design Center last week to Demystify Interior Design. Moderated by WashingtonianSenior Editor Sherri Dalphonse, the discussion focused on when and why you should hire a designer.

IKEA plans to help people prepare for Memorial Day weekend by giving away free IKEA blue bags on Thursday at The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The large, reusable bag is lightweight and easily cleaned, making it an ideal summer bag for trips to the beach, the pool or a backyard BBQ.

This initiative is part of IKEA's National Random Acts of Life Improvement campaign, which is a program designed to help inspire and empower people to improve their lives, as well as the lives of others in their community.

For more information on the local IKEA Blue Bag giveaway, follow the local IKEA store on Twitter at @IKEA_Woodbridge

When Lauren Levine and Howard Foer left their jobs in 1987 to start their own full-service catering and event planning company together, they aimed to raise the bar for catered events in the D.C. metro area. For the past 25 years, Festive Foods has honored its motto to cater to the individual and served up one memorable event after another. From corporate luncheons to intimate weddings and gala dinners for Washington’s elite, Festive Foods has earned a reputation as one of the best catering vendors in the area.

Everyone loves a good beer. An ice cold pilsner after a long day toiling under the summer sun, or a hearty stout paired with a juicy steak, or a Belgian wheat beer topped with an orange wedge are all things of exceeding beauty and delight. Beer is the every-man’s drink, but is also highly refined and as sophisticated as the brewer wants it to be. Enter Nick Funnell. Nick is Great American Restaurant’s master brewer and the creator of some truly magnificent beers, some of which have garnered him professional plaudits and won him award after award. Nick took some time off his busy schedule to speak with us about our favorite drink.